Twenty-Seven
Chief Inspector Rankin looked up from reading Carl’s leave application.
‘Didn’t you just have a month off, Carl?’
‘That was carer’s leave, Chief. I was looking after Nina.’
‘Well, you must have done a good job, I see she’s back at work. Why do you want more leave, and not just four weeks this time? And, right across the silly season as well, I see.’
Carl placed a white envelope on the chief’s desk.
‘Perhaps you’d better read this, Chief.’
The chief inspector looked at the envelope and noticed the embossed flowers in the top left corner. He picked it up and felt the expensive paper.
‘Is this what I think it is, Carl?’
‘Better open it and see.’
Chief Inspector Rankin inserted his letter opener under the flap of the envelope and slit it open. Dried rose petals fell onto
